Baseball Game Preview: Rogers Vikings vs. Johnston Panthers

The Rogers Vikings will face off against the Johnston Panthers at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Rogers is coming into the match on a five-game losing streak.

Rogers is headed into the game having just suffered their biggest loss since April 9th on Wednesday. They came up short against East Greenwich, falling 19-9.

Ben Borgueta

Runs

04/23/25 @ North Smithfield	4
03/31/25 @ Exeter-West Greenwich	3
05/07/25 @ East Greenwich	2
04/16/25 vs Tiverton	2
05/01/25 @ Toll Gate	1
+ 4 more games

Ben Borgueta and Cole Marley did some serious damage despite the final result: Borgueta went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI, while Marley went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one double. Borgueta is becoming a predictor of Rogers' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 3-1 (and 1-8 when he doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Cole Milburn, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.

The scorekeeper got an easy start on Wednesday as neither Johnston nor Prout made it on the board until the sixth inning. The Panthers fell 4-0 to the Crusaders.

Ethan Bracey was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: he didn't allow a single earned run while striking out seven over five innings pitched. What's more, he gave up only zero earned runs, the fewest he's had since back in May of 2024.

Johnston's defeat dropped their record down to 2-10. As for Rogers, their loss dropped their record down to 4-9.

Rogers' speedy runners might be the difference in Thursday's contest. The Vikings have been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.8 stolen bases per game. It's a different story for Johnston, though, as they've been averaging only 0.8 stolen bases. Will they be able to secure the bases, or will Rogers continue to outrun the ball?

Rogers couldn't quite finish off Johnston when the teams last played back in May of 2022 and fell 7-5. Will the Vikings have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.